Spring Flower

Dear Hazelita and Henny, 
You seem to be an outdoor kids.  Hazelita, you love the breeze, the sun, the trees, the grass, and even little rain drops rolling on your bitty nose.  Since the temperatures have been a kinder, warmer welcome to the outdoors we've been spending more time in it.  Last week Henny and I cleaned the garage out and you had no problem playing in your jumper-roo while we worked.  Henry, you are a super outdoor worker, never afraid to get dirty.  After the work was done we traced our bodies on the driveway.  You both giggled and twitched as the chalk went around your middles and fingers.  It turned out cute.

Henny, you made certain we were all holding hands.  I think it took on the look that I had floating baby balloon children.  Last Sunday we took our first walk on the B Line since the nice weather.  It started out great but an over exuberant Henry took over and the wildness that getting in the outdoor brings out burst forth.  

We got back to the van to reel it in quickly but not before you (Henny) got to run and jump off of everything and Hazel got a great ride on Daddy's lap, clinging to his side like a munchichi.  Then, just yesterday we had outdoor art time, painting with things we found in nature.  We used big sticks, little sticks, pine cones, smooth rocks, textured rocks, dandilions, grass and our fingers.  The soft breeze picked up and so did little Hey-Dizzle's smile.  

You love the wind, little puff.  You squealed.  Henry and I started to gather our things as little rain drops started spitting down on our paintings and heads, you just squealed some more and threw in a couple of hand claps.  Hey-Dizzle and Mama took a walk this afternoon in the neighborhood.  I left your feet natural and you smiled and clapped all the way down the street, cranking your ankles in circles and scrunching your toes.   When we came upon a dogwood that had showered its blossoms on the sidewalk, already giving way to miniature green leaves.  They covered the conrete like a fluffy pink cloud, I just had to take pictures of you on top of them.  

You dipped your hands in and pulled petals to pieces, watched intently cars passing by, and I could have sworn you garbled out, "Oooh! This is cool!" 

I enjoyed our little photo session.  I look so forward to spending copious amounts of time outdoors this spring and summer.  I think we were all getting a bold case of cabin fever!  Let's have lots of fun together!
Love, Mama              

A Map to Hazel: Head to Finger Toes

Dear Zellie Luz, 
Welcome to our family!  Welcome to the family blog!  My first post dedicated to baby girl Hazel Lucille.  You were born on September 8, 2012 6lbs 11oz and 19 inches long.  It will take some weeks before I can write about the hospital experience with your strong birth mama WW.  She chose us for you.  We are so honored, humbled and grateful she did. 

You are the sweetest, most tender baby lady.  You barely squawk when you're hungry and sleep wonderful long periods at night.  

You have a crown of dark walnut down hair on your perfectly round head.  At times it hints at future waves and possibly loose ringlets.  The little crest that sticks up on the top, the calamity of two oppositely swirly cowlicks intersecting melts my heart.
 At birth your eyes were glossy black but over the last week they have lightened and are giving way to a pretty brown, appearing they may still lighten yet to dare I say close to, hazel?

Your skin is a silky and soft brown and I like to smoosh my nose into your pillow cheeks and and rest there a minute.  Just today I noticed hints that you might be gaining some weight.  A little less crease on your leg and fingers with a little balling at the joints and you'll be wearing more of your 0-3 month clothes very soon!  Eating, demanding 3oz most sittings will do that to you.  

Your nose is a special thing.  It is a perfect pugged triangle with perfectly shaped, flared heart nostrils.  My pleasure is rubbing noses with you and feeling it's waxy newborn texture.  

look at her heart shaped nostrils.

You have full pouted lips that your lil' tongue pokes through regularly.  You have squishy ears with a coating of fur at the tip tops that your brother likes to let people know about. 

The stub of your umbilical cord fell off the other day in the van...It is stored in the door handle right now.  Kind of gross!  I must remember to get that out when Daddy gets home.  What is left behind is an inie. 

The word around the house is you're a poop machine.  It is true, you go A LOT and your proud, yet tentative, big brother Henry rushes to get you diapers and wipes on command.  You have a nice smell without the need for perfumed soaps.    You have big toes that closely resemble thumbs on your feet they are so long, just like WW, as do your long fingers.  

You have already calmed our house down in many ways.  I can't wait for what is to come.  Don't worry about that big boy, when we aren't around he sneaks pats on your head and kisses your forehead. Hen really loves you, he just isn't ready for us to know it.  He will come around when you aren't sleepin' so much, but I am happy it rubbed off on him for a little while today.  He took a 3 hour nap of his own doing!

We love you Hazel nut!
Love, Mama  

I love that this post, number 451, is your first in a starring role.  In 3.5 years I was able to post that much about your brother.  I apologize now that you may suffer from second child syndrome and not get as many of all your own but you will have lots of photos!  I love you baby girl.